Poetry used to intimidate me. How was I qualified to decide
what was “good”? I took a poetry
course this spring, which taught me techniques poets use. Here’s a definition the instructor
provided:
Poetry is
The considered, deliberate use of
Words-
Their
rhymes,
sounds,
meanings,
associations,
implications,
even their arrangement on the
page!-
to create
intellectual and
emotional effects
in the reader/listener.
He said a good poem should need to be read more than once to
cull meaning, but one should get something from the initial reading. Poets should strike a balance between
packing a lot of meaning versus being too vague.
The course introduced me to many styles of and much
wonderful poetry. I’ve become more
comfortable reading, appreciating, and even writing poems.
The internet and self-publishing have made it easier for
poets to get their work out there (as poetry is a hard sell to traditional
publishers). Today I have
musician, author, cool gal, and poet—
Jessica Bell!
Jessica says:
My poetry will not baffle you with phrasing that scholars award for academic genius and that can only be understood by those who wrote it. My poetry is for the everyday reader. In fact, it is even for those who don’t like to read poetry at all. Because it is real, stark and simple.
The poems in Fabric are no different. They explore specific moments in different people’s lives that are significant to whom they have become, the choices they’ve made. It’s about how they perceive the world around them, and how each and every one of their thoughts and actions contributes to the fabric of society. Perhaps you will even learn something new about yourself.
Are you still here? I hope so!
Please support the life of poetry today by spreading the news about Fabric. Hey, perhaps you might even like to purchase a copy for yourself? The e-book is only $1.99 and the paperback $5.50.
Here are the links:
Let's keep poetry alive!
About Jessica Bell:
If Jessica Bell could choose only one creative mentor, she’d give the role to Euterpe, the Greek muse of music and lyrics. And not because she currently lives in Greece, either. The Australian-native author, poet and singer/songwriter/guitarist has her roots firmly planted in music, and admits inspiration often stems from lyrics she’s written.
She is the Co-Publishing Editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal, and co-hosts the Homeric Writers' Retreat & Workshop on the Greek Isle of Ithaca, with Chuck Sambuchino of Writer’s Digest.
For more information about Jessica Bell, please visit:
Website:
Thank you so much for this, Theresa! So glad you took a poetry course. I'm sure it was very enlightening! :)
ReplyDeleteJessica, thanks for asking to be on my blog. Since taking the course, I have a better sense of what to appreciate in a poem. It's freed me up to enjoy poetry more. Good timing for you!
DeleteThis was very informative. I've never been completely comfortable writing poetry, and this helps. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that! :)
DeleteI love how you've put this post together - the intro to poetry and that lovely poem, making us think about the words, and then introducing Jessica, and the lovely way she makes us think about words, too. Jessica - what a fab book trailer! I really like it, and am already over at Fabric's Amazon page as I write this (multi-tasking as ever!)
ReplyDeleteAw Jayne you're so sweet! And yes, Theresa's way of introducing it is fabulous. I forgot to thank you for giving this post your own mark! Which is what I had hoped others would do, but ... to no avail ... (shhh!)
DeleteHa! And here I thought I was interfering. Thank you, Jayne and Jessica!
DeleteWow--I love how Jessica talks about her poetry! I've always been intimidated by it as well, and tend to shy away even though I love words and good prose. However, this post makes me more likely to give it a chance.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do! :) Glad Theresa and I may have convinced you.
DeleteGreat post. I'm not a great poetry reader, but since I've read a few books in verse, I feel more comfortable with it. So excited for Jessica. She has so much good going on now.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Natalie.
DeleteFantastic post -- would have loved your poetry course! And so happy for Jessica!!
ReplyDeleteBig sloppy kiss!
DeleteThat would be fun to take a poetry course. Good idea.
ReplyDelete"Fabric" is a nice title.
Poetry courses don't just help you with poetry either. They will help you to write prose as well.
DeleteI love poetry. Thanks for bringing our attention to Jessica's work.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vicki.
DeleteGreat definition of poetry. Although it's not my personal strong point, I do enjoy reading good poetry. Some is left to interpretation and insertion into one's own life. I love that.
ReplyDeleteGo Jess!!
That's very true. One of my favourite things about poetry is how much of it gives readers the ability to relate it to their own lives in more ways than one.
DeleteYay for Jessica!! Woo-hoo! I love poetry. I didn't used to, because somehow I found it so much more difficult to read and write than prose, but it's grown on me. I'd love to take a poetry course!
ReplyDeleteYou should! It is enlightening :)
Deletethats awesome! love your poem too! yay for poetry!
ReplyDeleteTara, thanks!
DeleteYay for Jessica and her beautiful poems!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
Old Kitty, I think it's great that Jessica puts her poems out there for everyone.
DeleteI struggle with poetry, because I always feel I'm not 'getting it'. Having said that, I work hard to make my prose lyrical and flowing. Perhaps I need to get my hands on Jessica's collection!
ReplyDeletehaha, yep, you should. And I'm seriously not biased ;)
DeleteOoh! I love poetry, though I haven't been writing any since the novel is taking up most of my time. Thanks for introducing Jessica to us!
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
I wouldn't be surprised if you have poetry material within your novel. There have been many times where prose has inspired poetry and visa versa :)
DeleteWonderful post, Theresa!
ReplyDeleteThat's the best definition of poetry I've ever seen! :)
Trish, I think so too. He gave us others, but this was the most complete one.
DeleteI'm in awe of the way poets can spark a visual or emotional picture from us so quickly. I also believe poetry should always be read aloud so you can taste it on your tongue. Good wishes for Jessica and FABRIC.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Leslie. Actually, I'm not happy with my poetry unless they sound good being read aloud. I'm pretty sure most poets would be the same.
DeleteHi Theresa,
ReplyDeleteI love writing poetry. I like the way your instructor explained it.Good to meet your two poetic guests too.
Francene, thank you. Glad to introduce you to Jessica.
DeleteGreat post! I am a lover of poetry, but I've never really considered reading it or writing it. Then I figured out that I don't have to follow all these rules, and I can use the page as a canvas, and that was it for me. I wrote a whole novel in verse!
ReplyDeleteDid you? Is it going to be published? Would love to read that.
DeleteI was going to ask Elana the same thing! One of the reasons I took the poetry course was because I had a novel in verse idea, but figured I should have a better understanding of poetic forms before I wrote it.
DeleteHi, Theresa. Hi, Jessica. I do enjoy good poetry now and then.
ReplyDeleteM Pax, me too!
DeleteMy eyes tend to glaze over when I hear Poetry because I assume it's going to be stuff I don't understand. I agree with your instructor though that you have to read at least twice to gain fuller meaning. Jessica's stuff does sound as though the ordinary man will be able to relate to it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, J.L :)
DeleteJessica is multi-talented. I have my copy!
ReplyDeleteAlex, I agree, Jessica is multi-talented!
DeleteWow, that's really interesting! I shy away from writing poetry, but I do like to read it. Perhaps I need to take a poetry class. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Jessica! Wishing her the best! :)
Thanks, Karen :)
DeleteHi Theresa,
ReplyDeleteYou made this post about writing poetry very informative and easy which I know its not!
I like to read poetry aloud when I'm alone to enjoy hearing the words.
Congratulations to Jessica.
Nas
Thank you, Nas.
DeleteI'm going to check it out more first, but I'm probably going to buy a copy. I've been wanting to read more poetry collections. Especially since poetry is the biggest focus on the program I am attending this summer.
ReplyDeleteIf you'd like a sneak peek at one of the poems, there's one on my blog, Brooke: http://www.thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/2012/05/only-one-left-standing.html
DeleteI've read Jessica's first poetry book and this one and I love them both. I don't think I'm good in writing poems but I like reading them. Jessica's first poetry book put me back into poetry-reading.
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting to know you've been on a poetry course. I would love to be in one, too.
Len, you gave Jessica such a nice review for her book.
DeleteInteresting post Theresa, I write a bit of poetry but I have never studied it as a form. My instinct is it should affect you like listening to a song. Best of luck Jessica with your book:)
ReplyDeleteActually, it's pretty hard for poetry to affect you like a song because music affects us on a much deeper psychological level. That said, hopefully poetry will still have a great impact on readers, but in a different kind of way.
DeleteNeat post. As I said over at Harts site, I love poetry. I've written my share of poems, but it's not my passion to write it. But I read it!!!
ReplyDeleteTeresa
Journaling Woman/Teresa, I write a little, but I'm not worthy. I like reading it too!
DeleteI have to get this new poetry book by Jessica. I love her words. They make my heart sing. She is an awesome writer/poet and woman. Theresa, I'm happy you're taking the poetry course. That is something I would love to do! Your instructor sounds awesome, Theresa. :-)
ReplyDeleteRobyn, I want to take another poetry course. I want to keep learning about the craft of writing. The conference once a year and how-to books aren't enough.
DeleteI own several poetry books, and what the guy said about re-reading poems is absolutely true. There can be meaning in the arrangement of letters as well as the words. Poetry can be very deep stuff.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I agree. The more I read a poem, the more I get out of it.
DeleteOh, I think that 'should get something the first time' is often my trouble. That is where so much gets unapproachable. I like the idea though, of getting more each time.
ReplyDeleteHart, what I liked about the poetry course is we students go to give our take on the poem until he showed us how to dig deeper. We realized there was much more than what we enjoyed on the surface.
DeleteI think every writer should occasionally read poetry (if not write it) to reaquaint themselves with the creativity and rhythms of the written word. Jessica's book sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteLynda, the books that have a lyrical quality are often the best ones. I hope by reading and learning more about it, I can infuse some beauty in my writing.
DeleteI always struggled to know what was good, too. I'm not much of a poet, but sometimes I write lyrically.
ReplyDeleteCarolina, I strive to write lyrically too.
DeleteI started my writing journey in poetry and love it. This is a wonderful post on all levels, Theresa.
ReplyDeleteVictoria, I've waited to long to write poetry, and it's how you started!
DeleteI will definitely get Jessica's book.
ReplyDeleteMissed Periods, I'm glad to hear it!
DeleteI like poetry for the way it makes us think about words more as art than as tools.
ReplyDeletePatsy, beautifully said!
DeleteI like some poetry. I really like Jessica's first book of poetry. I haven't gotten this new one. :)
ReplyDeleteWriting poetry is hard for me. I have one poem that I consider good enough to publish. Once I send my ms to some Beta readers I'm going to work on submitting it and some other manuscripts. :)
Have a great weekend, Theresa!
Sharon, your should consider submitting your poem to Vine Leaves Literary Journal.
DeletePoetry, like lyrics, gets right at the heart of our emotions. A few of my friends are poets and songwriters. I so admire what they do. And you. Love your trailer!
ReplyDeleteHi, Theresa :)
Carol, I'm impressed when people can say much with few words.
DeleteOne of my favorite playwrights was a poet and I think you can tell the influence in his word choice. It helps to be intimately familiar with what language can do.
ReplyDeleteLibby, the spare use of words and finding the best ones to convey your message would have to help other writing forms.
DeleteI loved studying poetry in college.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I plan on reading Jessica's book.
Medeia, I wish I studied poetry in college. Hope you enjoy Jessica's book!
DeletePoetry I consider the most difficult of all writing, but I may be wrong. I've had the occasional whim to try and find I have to work a lot harder than when I write prose. I was interested in hearing what you've learnt Theresa. Good post. I enjoyed reading what Jessica had to say too. I really enjoy her poetry.
ReplyDeleteDenise
Denise, I have so much respect for people who write poetry and picture books. Both have to convey so much with so little.
DeleteI have several friends who are poets - I've forwarded them the link to you blog post.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a poet, I have tried, and find it most difficult to write, although I love to hear it spoken. I'm especially keen on open mic evenings.
Maria, thanks so much for linking this post.
DeleteI've been trying to write poetry. How good or bad it is, I have no idea!
I admire anybody who can write poetry, because I certainly cannot. I've tried and tried. I have a whole binder of poems I wrote in college, but they're terrible.
ReplyDeleteJessica's poetry collection sounds like something I'd like. I'm putting it on my list of books to buy in the near future. :)
Shelley, I've written some bad poetry in my past. I'm trying again now. Hopefully, I've improved!
Deletethank you for sharing
ReplyDeletenice work
ReplyDelete